Review leopardstown 26th Dec Oliver McKiernan's Follow The Plan (12-1) dented the Arkle hopes of the Paul Nicholls-trained Tatenen when marginally beating the market leader in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase.Tatenen travelled well throughout the top-class contest but had several rivals stalking him when the race started to get serious.Follow The Plan took over at the head of affairs after jumping the penultimate fence under John Cullen but was made to battle all the way up the run-in for a short-head verdict.The Grade One Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle resulted in an impressive third hurdling success for Lethal Weapon (7-4).Tharawaat, the 5-4 favourite, was sent straight to the front by Davy Russell and kicked for home off the final turn, but Alan Crowe was wise to the move on Lethal Weapon.He got the better of the long-time leader soon after the last and battled hard for a one-length victory.Willie Mullins' Cousin Vinny did his Supreme Novices' Hurdle claims no harm with a facile first hurdling victory in the opening Durkan New Homes Maiden Hurdle.After tracking the early leaders under Patrick Mullins, the 4-9 favourite eased to the front over the last and drew eight lengths clear of Harro The Hero.There was a thrilling finish between Irish Invader and Savitha in the Paddypowerpoker.com Handicap Chase, with the former recording a half-length success for the Mullins team.Conor O'Farrell left it late on Jigalo (14-1) in the Durkan New Homes Handicap Hurdle, but the seven-year-old responded well when asked to go about his business in the closing stages.Dunroe Lady battled gamely all the way to the line but couldn't regain the lead she had surrendered after jumping the final flight.Colm Murphy's Voler La Vedette (4-1) completed a hat-trick of wins in the Durkan New Homes 4-Y-O Maiden Hurdle in the hands of Matt O'Connor.Willie Mullins notched another winner in the big race at Limerick as Financial Reward (9-2) scored by three and a half lengths from Top Of The Rock.© www.irish-racing.com
